Background and Objectives Brown rice is rarely consumed as a staple food due to its dark appearance and hard texture. However, germination can improve the taste, nutritional composition, and phenolic content, of brown rice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the pasting properties, thermal properties, nutritional profile, in vitro starch digestibility, bioactive compounds {particularly γ –aminobutyric acid (GABA), and γ‐oryzanol}, morphological and antioxidant characteristics of ungerminated brown rice (UGBR) and germinated brown rice (GBR) of one of the most commonly consumed rice varieties (Jhelum) of Northern Highland Himalayan regions. Findings When compared with UGBR, GBR exhibited lower pasting viscosities but gelatinization temperatures were observed to be higher. Germination increased the total free amino acids, protein, total and reducing sugars, while resistant starch, apparent amylose content, and slowly digestible starch decreased. L* value minimized while a* and b* maximized upon germination. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the continuous matrix structure of starch granules was severely damaged after germination. Total phenolic contents, GABA, γ‐oryzanol, and antioxidant properties (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power) were improved while phytic acid, pyridoxine, niacin, and thiamine contents were reduced in brown rice after germination. Conclusion Germination caused significant changes in the nutritional profile of brown rice. Specifically, it improved GABA and γ‐oryzanol levels and lowered the phytic acid contents of brown rice. Novelty Jhelum is one of the most commonly consumed rice varieties in Northern Highland Himalayan regions. In the present study, germination significantly improved the biologically active compounds in Jhelum. Therefore, regular consumption of GBR of the said variety may help in preventing the various chronic disorders in Northern Himalayan regions where rice is a staple food.

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Purpose The purpose of this study was to formulate a complete protein food from lentil flour (LF) and egg powder (EP) through microwave-assisted extrusion technology. Design/methodology/approach In the first part of the hybrid technology, the feed proportion and extrusion conditions were optimized through design expert using central composite rotatable design. In the second part of hybrid technology, the optimized protein pellets (PP) obtained were subjected to microwave heating (MH) for 50,100, 150, 200 and 250 s. Findings The optimum predicted conditions for development of pellets using extrusion cooking were feed proportion (85% LF and 15% EP), barrel temperature (140°C), screw speed (340 rpm) and feed moisture content (12%). When these pellets were subjected to MH, 150 s of heating time was considered as prudential to induce desirable quality changes in PP. The increase in sectional expansion index, crispness and overall acceptability from 0.637 to 0.659, 4.51 to 6.1 and 3.27 to 3.59 with corresponding decrease in bulk density and breaking strength from 73.33 to 69.75 kg/cm3 and 6.24 to 5.13 N during 150 s of MH indicated that quality characteristics of extruded PPs were improved after MH. Practical implications Nowadays, consumers have become more health conscious than ever, and the demand for nutritious snacks has increased many folds. However, the high protein content restricts expansion of snacks, which was overcome by subjecting extruded pellets to MH to produce third generation pellets. Furthermore, the PP has a protein content of 31.62%, which indicates that if an average person consumes 100 g of these snacks, it will suffice 60% of total recommended dietary intake (0.75 g/kg body weight/day). Lentil-based pellets expanded by use of such hybrid technology (microwave-assisted extrusion cooking) can help to provide a feasible, low cost and protein-rich diet for malnourished population besides being a value addition to lentils. Originality/value LF in combination with EP was tested for the first time for development of nutrient dense pellets. Moreover, use of microwave-assisted extrusion cooking offers a workable and innovative technique of developing protein-rich pellets with improved physico-chemical and sensory attributes.

In the present study, chitosan (CH) based biodegradable films were developed enriched with thyme essential oil (TEO) incorporated with different additives including zinc oxide (ZnO), polyethylene glycol (PEG), nano clay (NC), and calcium chloride (CaCl2) and characterize the postharvest quality of ‘collard greens’ during refrigerated storage. The results indicated that the incorporation of ZnO/PEG/NC/CaCl2 in CH-based films significantly decreased water vapor transmission rate, increased tensile strength, and were water soluble and biodegradable in nature. Moreover, CH-TEO based films incorporated with ZnO/PEG/NC/CaCl2 were significantly effective in reducing physiological weight loss, retained total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and preserved chlorophyll contents as well as showed lesser a* values, suppressed microbial growth, and preserving appearance/sensory quality of collard greens for 24 days than LDPE and other biodegradable films. Our results suggest that CH-based films enriched with TEO and additives such as ZnO/CaCl2/NC/PEG are an ecological, environmental friendly, and effective alternative approach to retain shelf life of collard greens during refrigerated storage.

High amylose rice (HAR) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are the preferred choices for enhancement of resistant starch content and lowering of glycemic index in dairy desserts. The effects of different levels of skimmed milk powder (SMP): HAR flour (45:55 to 75:25) and CMC (0.1 to 1%) were investigated on physical characteristics of dry-mix and on texture profile parameters, resistant starch (RS), predicted glycemic index (pGI), glycemic load (GL) and overall acceptability of phirni (a traditional milk pudding). Design expert predicted SMP (70): HAR (30) and CMC (0.8%) as optimum levels for reducing the pGI and maximizing the RS content and other quality characteristics in phirni. RS content of phirni (4.38%) prepared from optimized dry-mix (ODM) was higher while pGI (48.12) and GL (7.50) were lower as compared to phirni prepared from market dry-mix (MDM). The visco-thermal properties of ODM and MDM also showed significant variations. Storage modulus (Gʹ) and loss modulus (Gʹʹ) indicated that ODM phirni was less solid than MDM phirni. Scanning electron micrographs showed fused structures in ODM, while coarse sheet like structures were observed across the surface of MDM. Thus, ODM can be a promising substitute for the available milk desserts for diabetic patients.